Rear drums <em>Nissan Almera</em>: installation, repair and replacement with your own hands

Rear drum brakes on Nissan Almera (especially models N16, G15 And Tino) remain a relevant topic for owners, despite the gradual transition of automakers to disc mechanisms. These units require special attention due to the specific design, tendency to overheat and the need for regular adjustment. Unlike front disc brakes, drum systems are less noticeable in use, but their failure can lead to dangerous consequences - from increased stopping distances to complete brake failure.

In this article we will look at rear drum device on Almera, typical signs of wear, detailed instructions for replacing pads and drums, as well as the nuances of choosing spare parts. We will pay special attention A unique feature of this car's drum brakes is the integrated parking brake mechanism, which often becomes a source of problems if not properly maintained.. The material will be useful for both beginners and experienced car owners who want to save money on service stations without compromising safety.

Rear drum brakes Nissan Almera

Rear drum design Almera classical, but with a number of features due to engineering solutions Nissan. Main components of the system:

• 🔧 Brake drum - a cast iron or aluminum body that rotates with the wheel. On Almera N16 And G15 drums with a diameter of 230 mm, whereas on later modifications (for example, Almera Classic) options could be used 250 mm.
• 🛠️ Brake pads — two semicircular linings with friction material that are pressed against the drum during braking. On Almera Pads with integrated springs and a parking brake lever are often found.
• ⚙️ Brake slave cylinder - a hydraulic element that converts brake fluid pressure into mechanical force that spreads the pads. On Almera cylinders often suffer from corrosion and leakage.
• 🔗 Parking brake mechanism — a cable connected to a lever on the blocks. It is this unit that requires special attention when replacing pads or drums.

Feature Almera - use self-adjusting pads, which automatically adjust to drum wear. However, this mechanism often jams due to dirt or corrosion, resulting in uneven braking. One more nuance - asymmetrical drum wear (left and right can be erased differently), which requires mandatory pair replacement.

Signs of rear drum failure

Rear drums Nissan Almera rarely fail suddenly - usually malfunctions develop gradually. Experienced drivers notice problems based on the following symptoms:

• 🚨 Increased braking distance - if when you press the pedal the car brakes worse than usual, this may indicate wear on the pads or drum. Particularly noticeable when braking at high speed.
• 🔊 Creaks or knocks - extraneous sounds when braking (especially at low speeds) often indicate wear of friction material or foreign objects getting between the block and the drum.
• 🔥 Overheating of the rear wheels - if after a ride the drums are hot to the touch, this is a sign wedging the pads or cylinder. On Almera this is often due to corrosion in the slave cylinder.
• 🚗 Pulling the car to the side - if the car pulls to the left or right when braking, this may mean uneven drum wear or jamming of one of the cylinders.
• 🅿️ Problems with the handbrake — if the parking brake does not hold or, conversely, does not release the wheels, either the cable or the adjustment mechanism in the drum is to blame.

One of the most insidious signs is brake pedal pulsation when pressed. This happens due to drum deformation (usually after overheating) or uneven wear. On Almera with a mileage of more than 150 thousand km, this occurs in almost 30% of cases. You can check the condition of the drums visually - if deep grooves or “steps” are visible on the inner surface, the part must be replaced.

Once every 10 thousand km|Once every 20 thousand km|Only when problems appear|Never checked|I don’t know how to check-->

Selection of spare parts: pads, drums, cylinders

When replacing rear drums with Nissan Almera It is critical to select compatible parts. Original parts from Nissan (see the table below for article numbers) guarantee reliability, but often cost 2–3 times more than analogues. An alternative is products from proven brands: Ate, TRW, Brembo or Ferodo.

When choosing pads, pay attention to:

• 📋 Friction material composition - for Almera pads with friction coefficient are suitable EE or FF (indicated on the package). Cheap pads with a low coefficient can lead to overheating of the drum.
• 🔧 Availability of integrated handbrake lever - on Almera pads without this lever will not fit, even if they look identical in appearance.
• 🛡️ Corrosion protection — pads with a galvanized base last longer, especially in Russian winter conditions.

⚠️ Attention: When purchasing drums, check their diameter - Almera there are options 230 mm And 250 mm. Installing an incorrectly sized drum will result in incorrect brake operation and rapid pad wear. Also avoid pads with asbestos friction material - they are banned in the EU and can cause increased dust.

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Before buying pads, measure the thickness of the old ones - if the friction material has worn down to 1.5 mm or less, replacement cannot be delayed. Also pay attention to the condition of the springs and guides - their wear can cause squeaks even with new pads.

Step-by-step replacement of rear pads Nissan Almera

Replacing the pads with Almera with drum brakes requires care, especially when working with the parking brake mechanism. Below is the instruction for the model N16 (similar for G15 And Almera Classic), but taking into account the nuances:

1. Preparation: Place the car on a level surface, jack up the rear and remove the wheel. Be sure to block the front wheels with chocks and loosen the handbrake cable (the lever should be lowered).

2. Removing the drum: Unscrew the guide pins (if any) and try to remove the drum. If it gets stuck, use WD-40 and a block of wood to gently knock it down (hitting metal with a hammer can deform the drum!). On Almera often helps to unscrew the central nut of the hub (the wrench is on 30).

3. Cleaning and inspection: After removing the drum, clean all parts from dirt and rust. Check the condition of the working cylinder - if there are visible leaks of brake fluid, the cylinder must be replaced.

4. Removing old pads: Disconnect the springs (use pliers or a special puller), then remove the pads. Pay attention to the position of the handbrake lever - it will need to be installed in the same way on new pads.

5. Installing new pads: Before installation, apply to the contact points of the pads and support disk. copper grease (For example, LIQUI MOLY Kupfer-Paste). Install the pads, secure the springs and check the travel of the handbrake lever.

6. Adjustment: After assembly, press the brake pedal several times to ensure the pads are in place. Then adjust the parking brake (normal lever travel is 4-6 clicks).

Check the integrity of the springs and guides|Clean the backing plate from rust|Apply grease to the contact points|Make sure the handbrake cable is not twisted|Check the brake fluid level-->

⚠️ Attention: On Nissan Almera often required after replacing pads bleeding the brakes, since when removing the drum, air may enter the system. If the brake pedal has become “soft”, bleeding must be performed. Also, do not forget that the first 100–200 km after replacing the pads are worn in - avoid sudden braking during this period.

Replacing the brake drum: when and how to do it

Brake drums on Almera last much longer than pads - their service life is 150–200 thousand km. However, there are situations when replacement is necessary earlier:

• 🔍 Deep grooves or cracks on the working surface (more than 1 mm).
• 📏 Exceeding the maximum diameter (indicated on the drum; for Almera usually 231 mm).
• 🔥 Deformation after overheating (the drum becomes “oval”).
• 💧 Corrosion, eating through metal (often found on cars after 10 years of operation).

The process of replacing a drum is more complicated than replacing pads and requires special tools:

1. Remove the wheel and disconnect the handbrake cable from the lever on the blocks.

2. Unscrew the drum mount to the hub (usually 2 wrench bolts 12 or 14).

3. Remove the drum. If it cannot be removed, check whether the hub bearing is in the way (on some versions Almera the drum is attached through the hub).

4. Install a new drum, having first cleaned the seat. Tighten the bolts crosswise firmly 80–100 Nm.

5. After installation, adjust the gap between the pads and the drum (on Almera This is done automatically when you press the brake pedal, but sometimes manual adjustment is required through a hole in the shield).

If you are replacing drums, be sure to replace them in pairs (even if the second one looks fine). Different diameters or surface conditions will result in uneven braking. Also, after replacing the drums, it is recommended to check and, if necessary, replace wheel bearings - on Almera they often wear out at the same time as the brake mechanisms.

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Replacing drums on Almera requires a mandatory check of the hub runout. If the runout exceeds 0.1 mm, the bearing or the hub itself must be replaced, otherwise the new drum will quickly deform.

Adjusting the parking brake after repair

Incorrectly adjusted handbrake Nissan Almera - one of the most common problems after replacing pads or drums. Symptoms of incorrect adjustment:

• 🚗 The car rolls on a slope with the lever raised.
• 🔧 The handbrake does not lower all the way or requires excessive force.
• 🔥 The rear wheels are blocked unevenly.

The adjustment is carried out in two stages:

1. Adjustment on pads: There is an adjusting nut on the block lever connected to the cable. By rotating it, make sure that when the handbrake lever is lowered, the pads do not touch the drum, and when raised by 1-2 clicks, they are pressed tightly.

2. Cable adjustment: Under the car, next to the handbrake lever, there is a lock nut. Loosen it and adjust the cable tension so that the lever rises 4-6 clicks until the wheels are completely locked. After adjustment, tighten the locknut.

On Almera N16 And G15 After adjusting the handbrake, you need to check its operation on an incline (slope of at least 20%). If the machine is held only when the lever is raised 7-8 clicks, the cable needs to be re-adjusted or replaced (it may have stretched).

Common mistakes when servicing rear drums

Even experienced car owners make mistakes when working with drum brakes. Nissan Almera. Here are the most common of them:

• 🔧 Ignoring the state of the working cylinder — if the cylinder leaks or jams, new pads will last no more than 5–10 thousand km.
• 🛠️ Incorrect lubrication - using regular lithol grease instead of high-temperature grease (for example, Molykote G-Rapid Plus) leads to jamming of the pads.
• 🔧 Forget about adjusting the gap - on Almera with self-adjusting pads, manual adjustment is sometimes required through a technological hole in the shield.
• 🚗 Unpaired replacement of drums or pads - this leads to unbalance of the braking forces and the car drifts when braking.
• 💧 Dirt getting into the mechanism — when removing the drum, do not place it on the ground with the working surface down.

Another common mistake is pulling the handbrake cable. This leads to jamming of the pads, overheating of the drums and accelerated wear. On Almera The optimal cable tension is checked as follows: with the lever lowered, the rear wheels should rotate freely, without touching the pads.

What happens if you don't replace worn out drums?

Ignoring drum wear leads to:

1) Increase in braking distance by 30–50% (risk of accident).

2) Overheating and boiling of the brake fluid (the pedal falls through).

3) Destruction of the wheel bearing due to vibrations.

4) Uneven wear of the pads and the need for their frequent replacement.

On an Almera with a mileage of more than 200 thousand km, worn out drums can crack during sudden braking!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about rear drums Nissan Almera

Is it possible to install rear disc brakes on Almera instead of drum brakes?

Technically possible, but the entire rear brake system will need to be replaced: hubs, calipers, brake lines and even ABS sensors (if they are integrated into the drum). Such modernization will cost 50–80 thousand rubles and will require re-registration with the traffic police. In practice, it is easier and cheaper to maintain drum brakes in good condition.

How often should you check the rear drums on an Almera?

The recommended interval is every 20 thousand km or once a year. However, if you often drive on mountain roads or with a trailer, you should check it every 10 thousand km. Pay attention to indirect signs: squeaks, overheating of the wheels or increased brake pedal travel.

Why does the rear wheel squeak after replacing the pads?

Creaking can occur for several reasons:

• 🔧 The new pads have not gotten used to it yet (should disappear after 100–200 km).
• 🛠️ There is grease or dirt on the pads or drum.
• 🔊 Cheap pads with hard friction material (typical for no-name brands).
• 💥 Incorrect installation of springs or anti-squeak plates.

If the squeak does not disappear, check the condition of the drum - perhaps there are grooves left on it from old pads.

How to bleed the brakes on Almera after replacing the drums?

The procedure for bleeding the rear brakes Almera:

1. Remove the brake fluid reservoir cap and add fluid to the maximum.
2. Place a transparent hose onto the working cylinder fitting and lower the other end into a container with liquid.
3. Have an assistant press the brake pedal 3-4 times and hold it down.
4. Unscrew the fitting ½ turn - liquid with air bubbles will come out of the hose. Tighten the fitting and repeat the procedure until bubbles stop coming out.
5. Repeat for the second wheel. On Almera Pumping starts from the rear right wheel.

After bleeding, add fluid to the level and check the brake pedal - it should be “hard” without dips.

What brake fluid should I fill in Almera with drum brakes?

For Nissan Almera (including models N16 And G15) class liquid recommended DOT-4. Original liquid from Nissan has an article number KE903-99932, but analogues from Castrol, Liqui Moly or Motul. The main thing is not to mix liquids of different classes (for example, DOT-3 And DOT-4). Replacement interval - every 2 years or 40 thousand km.